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Monitoring of local and regional democracy in Spain

Monitoring of local and regional democracy in Spain[20/03/2013]

A report and a recommendation on local and regional democracy in Spain were debated on 19 March 2013 during the 24th session of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe. The report, jointly presented by Marc COOLS, Belgium (L, ILDG) and Leen VERBEEK, Netherlands (R, SOC), looks at the progress made in this field since the previous recommendations by the Congress on this subject in 2002.
The rapporteurs pointed out that Spain generally fulfilled its obligations under the Charter, and they welcomed the direct incorporation of the Charter into Spanish national law, making it possible for the domestic courts to use and interpret it.
The rapporteurs nevertheless very much regretted the overlaps in responsibilities between the different levels of governance, and recommended that the Spanish authorities take practical measures in this sphere. The rapporteurs, finally, urged the Spanish authorities to sign and ratify, in the near future, the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government on the right to participate in the affairs of a local authority (CETS No. 207).